Method and apparatus for modifying gaming machines to provide supplemental or modified functionality

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for modifying the functionality of a legacy gaming device is disclosed. The apparatus uses a second processor communicatively coupled between a legacy display and audio device to modify interrupted display and audio signals and provide substitute signals to provide the modified functionality of the gaming device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/258,203, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING GAMING MACHINESTO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL OR MODIFIED FUNCTIONALITY,” by Stanley P.Dabrowski, filed Oct. 24, 2008, which application is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/893,786, entitled “METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT PERMITTINGREDISTRIBUTION OF ISSUED SCRIP,” by Stanley P. Dabrowski, filed Jul. 16,2004 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,810, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/939,922, entitled “METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT PERMITTINGREDISTRIBUTION OF ISSUED SCRIP,” by Stanley P. Dabrowski, filed Aug. 27,2001, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of the followingapplications:

Application Ser. No. 09/366,224, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P.Dabrowski and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION ANDMANAGEMENT”, which application claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/095,091, filed Aug. 3, 1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowskiand entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION ANDMANAGEMENT”, and which application issued Jul. 29, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No.6,598,788;

Application Ser. No. 09/368,036, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P.Dabrowski and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING GAMINGMACHINES TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL OR MODIFIED FUNCTIONALITY”, whichapplication claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/095,091, filed Aug. 3, 1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT”, and whichissued Apr. 30, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,246;

Application Ser. No. 09/368,096, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P.Dabrowski and entitled “SCRIP DISPENSER”, which application claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/095,091, filed Aug. 3,1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORSCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT” and which issued Jul. 17, 2001 asU.S. Pat. No. 6,263,258; and

Application Ser. No. 09/368,296, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P.Dabrowski and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A COINHOPPER TO OPERATE WITH A SECONDARY MONETARY EXCHANGE DISPENSER”, whichapplication claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/095,091, filed Aug. 3, 1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT”, and whichissued Jun. 26, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,119;

all of which of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for managingcurrency transactions, and in particular, to an inexpensive system forsecurely distributing and accepting scrip at numerous widely distributedgaming devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of the gaming industry. Much ofthe income derived from such games is collected at gaming devices likeslot machines and video poker games.

Revenue from such gaming devices can be increased in one of two ways: byincreasing the number of transactions or by increasing the average wagerper transaction. The number of transactions can be most easily increasedsimply by increasing the number of available machines. However,increasing the number of gaming devices can be a costly enterprise.

In the past, most gaming machines used coins as a medium of exchange.The machine accepted the wager in coin, and if the player wassuccessful, paid winnings immediately from coin stored in the machineitself. While effective, such coin machines are expensive to maintain.Since the money taken in by the gaming device generally exceeds jackpotspaid out, the accumulated money (in coin) must be removed from eachmachine on a periodic basis. This collection can be difficult, becausecoins can be heavy and unwieldy.

Recent years have seen a movement away from coin-only machines and aproliferation of gaming machines that also accept currency as a mediumof exchange. In fact, currently, 60% or more of gaming machines canaccept wagers in currency. Although they represent an improvement fromthe coin machines of the past, currency-accepting gaming machines haveproved to be no panacea. Currency acceptors do not obviate the need topay out winnings in coin. For example, if the player cashes out with$25.50 remaining in the payout account, the gaming device can only issuewinnings in coin (in this case, 104 quarters). Since players will oftenterminate play at such times, the coinage paid out generally exceedswager coinage entered into the machine, and a cache of coin in thegaming device must be maintained and frequently replenished.

Gaming machines that deal with scrip can help ameliorate this problem.However, existing scrip distribution systems do not offer a completesolution to the problem. For example, the system disclosed by U.S. Pat.No. 6,012,832, issued Jan. 11, 2000 to Saunders et al. discloses acashless peripheral device for a gaming system. With this system, whenthe user decides to cash out, the gaming system computes the amount ofmoney due the player and prints a barcode representing this amount on aticket that is drawn from a continuous roll of unprinted tickets. Afterprinting, the printed bar code is read to verify that it is correctbefore the ticket is issued to the user. The code is also transmitted toa central computer for storage. The user can then insert the ticket inanother gaming machine. By comparing the information on a player cardwith information printed on the ticket, the a determination is made asto whether the ticket is valid. If the ticket is valid, the gamingmachine itself determines the cash-in value from the printed code on theticket. Credits are issued, and the ticket is passed into a storage binand is eventually discarded.

There are a number of problems with such a system. First, it requiresthe use of a player card to store information that is used to validatethe printed ticket. Second, there is no provision for the re-use oftickets. As a result, as was true with coins, each gaming device willhave to be periodically emptied of discarded tickets. Further, thediscarded tickets still present visible codes that can be collected andscanned, and may be used to compromise the security of the gamingsystem.

What is needed is a system which does not require the use of a playercard to verify the validity issued scrip, provides for the re-use ofscrip, and allows the scrip to be erased and re-used multiple times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the requirements described above, the present inventiondiscloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture fortransferring credits from one gaming device to another via the use ofcoded scrip.

The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in thegaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquelyidentifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-outmessage comprising the code to a remote processor having access to adatabase configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality ofgaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remoteprocessor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scripstorage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer forreading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scripretrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicativelycoupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to adatabase for storing and retrieving code information from the pluralityof gaming devices.

This system relies on coupons or scrip cards that are inherentlyworthless and self-authenticating. These coupons are activated anddispensed to the user when a payout is requested, and deactivated whenthey are re-inserted into a gaming device. The coupons may also beerased and are then stored within the gaming machines forre-distribution and re-use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an array of gaming devices;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a modifiedgaming device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of the operationsperformed in obtaining scrip from the gaming device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of the operationsperformed in using scrip issued from a gaming device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second illustrative embodiment of theoperations performed in obtaining scrip issued from a gaming device;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic view of exemplary embodiment ofthe scrip-dispensing device;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a second exemplaryembodiment of the scrip dispensing device;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic view of one embodiment of thecassette;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing additional embodiments of thecassette;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a further embodiment of the cassette;

FIGS. 11-13 are flow charts illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded beforeinsertion into the gaming device for distribution;

FIGS. 14-16 are flow charts illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded beforeinsertion into the gaming device for distribution, and in which thecash-out value is not transmitted from the gaming device to the remotecomputer/Internet server;

FIGS. 17-19 are flow charts illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded beforeinsertion into the gaming device for distribution and in which thegaming device generates the scrip-unique code; and

FIG. 20 is an illustration an embodiment of the scrip dispenser 226 witha scrip acceptance unit 2002 configured to permit redistribution andre-use of scrip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way ofillustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a gaming system 100. The gaming system100 comprises a plurality of gaming islands 102A-102D, each having aplurality of gaming devices 104. The gaming devices 104 are operativelycoupled to an intranet server 108 via communication links 106A-106D. Inone embodiment, communication link 106A is a 10Base2, 10 Mbps thincoaxial communication link. First hub 112A accepts multiplecommunication links 106A. Preferably, one cable segment is used pergaming machine bank 116. Communication link 106B is a 10BaseT, 10 MbpsCat 5 cable which covers the gaming devices in an island 102A or othersub-area. Second hub 112B accepts multiple communication links 106B.Communication link 106C is a 100BaseFX, 100 Mbps fiber optic linkservicing a major area of gaming machines. Third hub 112C acceptsmultiple communication links 106C, and implements path redundancy andthe network backbone. Communication link 106D is a 100BaseT, 100 MbpsCat 5 cable. The intranet server 108 is also operatively coupled to adata manager 110 and to workstations 114 via communication links106E-106F. In one embodiment, the intranet server 108 is firewallprotected, and includes one or more work station terminals intercoupledvia a local area network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram presenting an illustrative embodiment of a gamingdevice 104. Typically, gaming devices 104 comprise a number of existinglegacy I/O devices 202, each coupled to one or more legacymicroprocessors 206 via I/O bus 204 and existing legacy communicationpaths 212A-212I (collectively referred to as communication paths 212).Communications between existing I/O devices 202 and the microprocessor206 can be either serial or parallel. Typically, the microprocessor 206is a special purpose device designed or programmed for the gaming device104. Microprocessor 206 accepts user inputs from the existing I/Odevices 202 via communication path 270, processes these inputs, andprovides outputs to the I/O devices such as the display 212 viacommunication path 270. Microprocessor 206 is also typically coupled toa central computer 208 via a low speed serial connection 272, and cancollect data from the gaming device 104 via the microprocessor.Microprocessor 206 to central computer 208 communications are typicallyone way (from the microprocessor 206 to the central computer 208).

Existing I/O devices 202 comprise cash acceptor 210A. This deviceaccepts cash from the user, verifies that the cash is genuine, andrelays the denomination accepted to the microprocessor 206 via a cashaccept signal on the cash accept communication path 212A. Cash acceptor210A may comprise a device similar to a currency reader, which canverify the appearance of the printed currency as well as the feel of thepaper.

Existing I/O devices 202 also includes a coin acceptor 210B, whichaccepts coin from the user, verifies that the coin is genuine, andrelays the amount and value of the coin accepted to the microprocessor206 via a coin accept signal on the coin accept communication path 212B.The coin acceptor may be similar to those employed in vending machinesin which the size and weight of the deposited coinage is measured.Although the cash acceptor 210A and the coin acceptor 210B are depictedas separate devices, the functionality provided by these devices may beprovided by a single integrated device.

Existing I/O devices 202 also comprise a display 210C. Increasingly,display 210C comprises a video display presenting virtually allinformation conveyed to the user. For example, if the gaming device is aslot machine, the display 210C may show the “reels” to the user, as wellas the wager, the amount paid, the amount remaining in the cash-outaccount, and a variety of other information. Further, display 210C canalso be used to accept input to the gaming device 104 by a touch screenor similar pointing device (such as those employed in connection withgraphical user interfaces in home computer applications) and to forwardthe input to the microprocessor 206. The display 210C communicates withthe microprocessor 206 using a display signal via a displaycommunication path 212C.

Cash-out selector 210D is usually a simple switch that the user candepress when they are finished using the gaming device 104 and want themachine 104 to pay out the cash-out balance K_(CO) (i.e. the amountremaining in the cash-out account). For example, if the user depositedcoin or currency through the cash/coin-accepting devices 210A and 210Bin the amount of twenty dollars, the cash-out balance begins at twentydollars, and is increased or decreased thereafter according to theresults of the game played. The cash-out selector 210 provides acash-out command or signal to the microprocessor 206 via the cash-outcommunications link 212D.

Audio device 210E accepts an audio signal on the audio communicationslink 212E from the microprocessor 206. Typically, the audio device 210Eis a simple loudspeaker. However, the audio device 210E may also includea microphone or a special purpose processor coupled to a piezoelectrictransducer. If desired, a video device can also be utilized to view thearea around the gaming device. This can be used to prevent theft or toverify authorized payouts.

Remaining balance indicator 212F shows the user the cash-out balanceaccording to the cash-out balance signal provided on the cash-outbalance communications link 212F. This I/O device could be an LEDdisplay or similar device. The function of this device may alternativelybe performed by the display 210F itself.

Wager/gaming I/O devices (WGDs) 210G include a number of user controlsthat allow the user to play the gaming device. In the case of a drawpoker gaming device 104, the WGDs 201G may include buttons selecting thecards to draw or hold, a button for selecting a new game, a button fordetermining the wager for each hand played, or other buttons. Similarbuttons would be employed with a blackjack gaming device or a slotmachine.

Coin payout device 210H pays coin or tokens to the user based upon theirwinnings in accordance with a coin payout quantity signal on the coinpayout quantity communication path 216H. In most circumstances, thepresent invention minimizes the use of this device because payouts maybe provided at least in part in the form of scrip, instead of coin.

The coin payout device 210H can be activated and deactivated accordingto a coin payout enable signal provided on a coin payout enablecommunication path 214H. This prevents inadvertent dispensing of coin orcash by disabling the coin payout device 210H until it is time for thepayout to occur. In many gaming devices, the power wire to the coinpayout device 210 can be used for a coin payout device enablecommunication path 214H. In such cases, the coin/cash payout device canbe activated and deactivated simply by applying or removing power to thepower wire. This can be accomplished with a suitable relay orsemiconductor switch, preferably under control of the dispensing devicecomputer 232.

Similarly, the cash payout device 210I pays cash to the user based upontheir winnings in accordance with a cash payout quantity signal on acash payout quantity communication path 216I. The cash payout device210I can be activated and deactivated according to a cash payout enablesignal provided on a cash payout enable communication path 214I.

A scrip dispensing device 226 is communicatively coupled to the gamingdevice 104. The scrip dispensing device 226 comprises a scrip dispensingunit 228 and a scrip-accepting unit 230. The scrip dispensing unit 228and the scrip-accepting unit 230 can be distinct devices or both scripdispensing and scrip accepting functions may be performed by a singlescrip accepting/dispensing device.

The scrip-dispensing unit 228 dispenses scrip in accordance withcommands from the scrip dispensing device computing device or localcomputer 232. Similarly, the scrip-accepting unit 230 accepts scripdispensed from any one of the gaming devices 104 in the gaming system100. The scrip-dispensing unit 228 and the scrip-accepting unit 230 areoperatively coupled to the local computer 232 via bus 234, which may beeither parallel or serial, or a combination of both.

The scrip dispensing unit device computer 232 can be advantageouslyselected as an off-the-shelf processor assembly, comprising a processor236, memory 238 tangibly embodying instructions which comprise anoperating system 240 and one or more applications 242. Further, theoperating system 240 and the applications 242 are comprised ofinstructions which, when read and executed by the computer processor236, causes the scrip dispensing unit device computer 232 to perform thesteps necessary to implement and/or use the present invention.Application 242 and/or operating system 240 instructions may also betangibly embodied in memory 238 and/or data communications devices,thereby making a computer program product or article of manufactureaccording to the invention. As such, the terms “article of manufacture”and “computer program product” as used herein are intended to encompassa computer program accessible from any computer readable device ormedia.

In one embodiment, the operating system of the scrip dispensing unitdevice computer is the popular LINUX, WINDOWS, WINDOWS 95/98, WINDOWSNT, or WINDOWS CE operating system. Since the computational requirementsof the scrip unit device computer 232 are reasonably simple, theoperating system and associated hardware can be similar to or compliantwith hand-held computing systems using the WINDOWS CE operating system.Processor 236 may also advantageously comprise a reduced instruction setcomputer (RISC) processor. This embodiment has the particular advantageof increasing the functionality provided by the scrip dispensing device226, since data and functional selection can be performed using standardoff-the-shelf intranet or other networking hardware and software.

The scrip dispensing device computer 236 is also operatively coupled toa transducer. In one embodiment, the transducer is a scanner and cannotwrite or erase information from the scrip. In another embodiment, thetransducer is a scanner/recorder 274 that can record, read, and erasecodes on the scrip under control of the local computer 232 the centralcomputer 208, or a remote computer such as the intranet server 108. Inone embodiment, each scrip comprises a strip with a magnetic strip, andthe scanner/recorder 274 is capable of recording, reading, and erasingmagnetically manifested codes from the magnetic strip on the scrip.

Such embodiments are particularly useful because, unlike prior devices,they permit the erasure of the information on the magnetic strip andpermit the re-distribution and re-use of scrip that is issued by othergaming machines. The re-distribution of scrip makes it economicallyfeasible to improve the quality of the issued scrip, and reduces thecost of emptying machines with excessive scrip.

In one embodiment, the scrip dispensing device computer 236 is alsooperatively coupled to an infrared signal transmitter/receiver 276. Thetransmitter/receiver 276 allows wireless, infrared transmissions betweenexternal devices such as a personal data assistant (PDA) or a laptopcomputer and the scrip dispensing device computer 236. In oneembodiment, this is implemented with an IrDA port having an IrDA serialIR physical layer. An Infrared Link Access Protocol (IrLAP) is used fora data link protocol, and an Infrared Link Management Protocol (IrLMP)is used to implement handshaking and multiplexing of multiple datastreams.

The scrip dispensing device computer 236 is operatively coupled to aremote computer via a connector 278. In one embodiment, the scripdispensing computer 236 is communicatively coupled to an intranet server108 via intranet connector 278 communications link 106. The intranetserver 108 comprises an intranet server processor 250 and memory 260storing instructions for the operating system 262 and any applications264. intranet computer 108 may also be operatively coupled to a datamanager 110, and may be operatively coupled to the central computer 208as well. Alternatively, some or all of the storage and functionsprovided by the data manager 110 may be implemented in the intranetserver 108. The intranet server 108 may also be coupled to the centralcomputer 208 to implement legacy functions. Also, a single computer canbe used to implement all of the functionality of the intranet server 108and the central computer 208.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the scrip dispensing devicecomputer 232 obtains the information required to dispense, manage, andaccept scrip by essentially tapping into the communication links 212between the existing I/O devices and the microprocessor 206. With theseconnections, the scrip dispensing device 226 can determine when cash orcoin is accepted by the gaming device 104, the amount of cash or coinaccepted, when cash-out is selected by the user, the balance of thecash-out account, wager and other gaming inputs, and the amount paid outto the user. This information is useful in performing the scripdistribution, and acceptance functions, but is useful also in providingstatistical and other information to the owner of the gaming system 100regarding gaming device 104 usage and other information. This embodimentallows the scrip-dispensing device 226 to be incorporated with a widevariety of gaming devices 104 with minor modification by patching intothe existing I/O devices 202.

Information from the existing I/O devices 202 is provided to thedispensing device computer 232 via an interface module 218 and gamingdevice I/O bus 224.

In one embodiment, the gaming device I/O bus 224 is a low levelinterface bus, and the interface module is communicatively coupled torequisite existing I/O devices 210A-210I in the following ways.

First, the interface module 218 (through a low level interface bus 224)may be coupled to any of the communications links 212 via a signalmonitoring device 220. This device monitors the signal being passed inthe communication link 212, but does not interrupt or otherwise alterthe signal content. In one embodiment, the signal monitoring device 220is a small coil, placed around the communication link 212 to detectcurrent flowing through the communication link 212. This allows thescrip dispensing device computer 232 to monitor the signal, but does notallow the scrip dispensing device computer 232 to alter the signal.

Second, the interface module 218 may be coupled to any of thecommunication links 212 via a signal interrupting and/or substitutiondevice 222. This device, which operates under the control of the localcomputer 232 and/or the interface module 218, breaks the communicationlink 212 between its associated existing I/O device 202 and themicroprocessor 206, and provides the signal on the communications link212 to the local computer 232. This allows the local computer 232 tomodify the signal before providing it to its ultimate destination, or tosubstitute an entirely new signal. Of course, the local computer 232 canalso provide the original signal to the existing I/O device 202 as well.

For example, suppose an important announcement must be made in thecasino. Typically, the microprocessor 206 in each of the gaming device104 is providing an audio signal to the audio device 210E, for purposesof game play. Taken together, the audio output of a number of gamingdevices 104 can be loud enough to prevent the announcement from beingheard. Instead of increasing the volume of the public address system toovercome the din of all of the gaming machines, the present inventionallows the audio signal normally provided from the microprocessor 206 tothe audio device (game play audio) to be interrupted and/or diverted tothe local computer 232. This allows the silencing the audio device 210.Further, using a suitable signal from the intranet computer 108 to thelocal computer 232 of selected gaming devices, this technique can beused to silence the audio signal at any particular gaming device 104, abank of gaming devices 102, or all of the gaming devices in the gamingsystem 100.

The local computer 232 may provide a substitute signal to the audiodevice 210E instead of the game play audio. This substitute signal canbe a processed *.wav file or other computer file containing audioinformation. The substitute signal can be stored in the scrip dispensingdevice computer 232 memory 238, or obtained from the intranet server 108via intranet connectivity 278. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the audio signal is interrupted and routed to the scripdispensing device computer, where it is reduced in intensity, and mixedwith audio data (such as a verbal announcement) from the intranet server108. In this way, game play audio can continue, but at an abated level,so that the announcement may be heard. This feature can also be used toprovide other aural information to the user. For example, if aparticular bank 102 of gaming devices 104 has entered a bonus playsituation, this fact can be announced with the audio device 210E or thedisplay 210C.

The foregoing ability to monitor and/or interrupt the signals from theexisting I/O devices 202 to the microprocessor 206 (as indicated by thecircled “M” and “I” indicators in FIG. 2) also allows the operation ofthe scrip dispensing unit 228 with the coin payout device 210H. Theinterface module 218 monitors the cash-out signal on the cash-outcommunications link 212D, and provides the monitored signal to the scripdispensing device computer 232. When the user decides to cash-out, thecash-out selector 210D is selected, and a signal is sent to themicroprocessor 206. Ordinarily, the microprocessor 206 would activatethe coin payout device 210H with the coin payout enable signal toactivate the coin payout device 210, and provide a coin payout quantitysignal to indicate the number of coins to be dispensed (typically, thecash-out balance). The coin payout device 210 would then dispense therequired number of coins. The present invention interrupts the coinpayout enable communications link 214H to prevent coins from beingdispersed, computes the value or number of scrip and the number of cointo be dispensed, and provides a substitute payout quantity signal to thecoin payout device 210H.

The ability to monitor or interrupt the signals from the existing I/Odevices 202 to the microprocessor 206 also allows the capabilities ofthe gaming device 104 to be greatly expanded or altered. Signals fromthe coin accept device 210A can be monitored to keep track of how manycoins have been entered into the gaming machine 104. This number can bereported directly to the intranet computer 108, or accumulated in thelocal computer memory 238, and reported to the intranet computer 108when requested, or when the number of accumulated coins is above orbelow a particular amount. Information from the coin accept device 210Bor the cash accept device 210A can be used to determine whether themachine is frequently used, indicating that it is either a popularmachine type, or placed in a popular location. Statistics correlatingthe machine type with the location can be used to determine the bestlocation gaming devices 104. Statistics can also be used to determinewhich gaming devices have faulty coin/cash accept or coin/cash payoutdevices.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the I/O bus communicationpath 270 between the I/O bus 204 and the microprocessor 206 and theserial communications path 272 to the central computer 208 can bemonitored or interrupted. This embodiment permits the function of thespecial purpose microprocessor to be monitored, altered, or bypassedentirely. Also, the scrip dispensing device computer 232 could interfacedirectly with the microprocessor 206, or the functions performed by thescrip dispensing device computer 232 could be performed by themicroprocessor 206 itself. Further, the scrip-dispensing device 226 canbe housed in the gaming device 104, or may be physically separated fromthe gaming device 104, so long as the communication provided by thegaming device I/O bus 224 is provided.

Many current gaming machines operate by exchanging currency for a numberof credits in a payout account. The player may then choose to havewinnings credited to the payout account, and losses debited from thataccount. This reduces unnecessary coin flow through the gaming machine.

The present invention can be practiced in several embodiments. In afirst embodiment, when the user elects to cash-out, the user is given asingle unit of scrip with a value equal to the entire cash-out value. Inthis embodiment, the bar code on the next scrip unit in the scripdispensing unit is scanned and transmitted to the intranet server 108.The intranet server 108 stores the bar code information and associatesthe stored bar code information with a cash-out value. When the userinserts the dispensed scrip into another machine, the bar code isscanned, and transmitted to the intranet server 108. The cash-out valueassociated with the bar code is determined, and transmitted to the scripdispensing device computer 232. The scrip dispensing device computer 232determines the number of credits to be awarded, and, using the interfacemodule 218, provides one or more coin accept signals on the coin acceptcommunication path 212B as required to provide the required number ofcredits.

In a second embodiment, when the user elects to cash-out, the player isprovided with a combination of scrip (which may be one or moreindividual scrip units) and one or more coins/tokens. In thisembodiment, when a cash-out signal is detected, the coin payout device210H is deactivated by interrupting the coin payout enable signal andthe coin payout quantity signal. A computation is performed to determinehow much of the cash-out value will be dispersed in scrip and how muchwill be dispersed in coin. After this determination is made, theappropriate number of coins are dispensed by providing a substitutedcoin payout quantity signal, and a coin payout enable signal to the coinpayout device 210H. The appropriate value of scrip is then dispensed bydispensing one or more scrip cards. The bar code of each scrip card isscanned, and the information obtained therefrom is then provided to theintranet server 108 before the scrip is dispensed. Each unit of scripmay have a pre-assigned value (in which case more than one scrip unitmay be required, but the value of the scrip to be dispensed need not bestored in the database), or may be assigned in accordance with thecash-out balance.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the first embodiment describedabove. When the player has completed playing the machine, and decides tocash-out the credits in the payout account, the user activates cash-outI/O device 210D. Through the interface module 218 and the signalinterrupting and/or substitution device 222, the local computer 232monitors and accepts 302 the cash-out message. The local computer 232then reads 304 the cash-out balance from the remaining balance I/Odevice 210F, and processes 306 the cash-out information. The cash-outinformation includes the cash-out balance, but may also include otherinformation about the user's gaming patters or history, gaming device104, diagnostic, security, or other information.

After the user selects the cash-out I/O device 210D, the scripdispensing unit 228 reads 308 scans a scrip unit or scrip card to read apre-coded scrip code. The code uniquely identifies each scrip unit. Thescrip dispensing device computer 236 transmits the scrip code (and anyother information) to the intranet server 108 or other remote computer.

Scrip dispensing unit 228 holds a plurality of scrip cards, each ofwhich has a pre-coded scrip code. The scrip code may be a visiblymanifested bar code representing a variable with multiple characters.Alternatively, the scrip code may be a magnetically manifested code on amagnetic strip on the scrip.

In one embodiment, the scrip code is a 20 character variable. The firstthree characters designate casino, the next 11 alphanumeric charactersare a unique scrip card code designating the scrip card number. The nextthree characters are security characters used to decode the scrip cardcode to assure that it is genuine. This is accomplished by establishinga predictable relationship between the scrip card code and thethree-digit number. Algorithms suitable for testing this predictablerelationship are securely stored in the intranet server 108 or the datamanager 110, and read when necessary to validate the scrip card code.For example, assume that the scrip card code is the eleven digit number“91234567890.” An algorithm can be defined wherein the securitycharacters are the result of the following relationship:

$\begin{matrix}{{SecurityCode} = \left\lbrack {{frc}\left( {\pi + \left( \frac{91234567890}{99999999999} \right)} \right)}^{5} \right\rbrack} & (1)\end{matrix}$

Without knowledge of the foregoing equation, the relationship betweenthe security code and the scrip card code will appear to be anunpredictable random number. However, when the intranet server 108performs the foregoing computation, the security code on the scrip cardcan be verified. Other private key encryption techniques are alsopossible. Further, it may be advantageous to change the seed value(represented by the character π in the above equation) at regularlyscheduled intervals, either randomly, or according to a predefinedrelationship. The last three characters in the scrip code are used toperform checksum operations to reduce errors.

Next, the intranet server 108 accepts the message with the scrip codeand optional cash-out information. The scrip code is then deciphered andvalidated 314. This can be accomplished with private or public keyinformation stored in the intranet server 108, or the data manager 110.If the deciphering indicates that the scrip code is a valid code, thescrip code is activated. This is shown in blocks 316 and 320. The scripcode may be activated by storing a flag associated with the code storedin the data manager 110, or can be accomplished by storing the codeitself in the data manager. After the scrip code is activated, a scripdispense message is sent 326 to the gaming device 104. The gaming device104 receives 328 this message, and dispenses 330 the scrip card.

Many gaming machines give the player the option of issuing all winningsin coin, an option that can rapidly exhaust the coin cache in the gamingmachine. To obviate this problem, provision may be made in the foregoingfor logic to prevent coin payouts below or above a certain amount.Provision may also be made to issue payouts in a combination of scripcards and coin.

Given the foregoing teaching, it is apparent that the scrip code readfrom the scrip card may be read with an optical, magnetic, or other typeof reader as the scrip card is expelled from the scrip dispensing unit228. However, the foregoing process of reading the scrip card, verifyingthe code and activating the code before disbursal to the user ispreferred because it prevents the user from interfering with the readerby prematurely pulling the scrip card, and it prevents passing anythingto the user until after it is assured that the issued scrip card isvalid. For example, it is preferable to discover a printing error orother defect in the pre-printed scrip card before disbursal.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing exemplary operations performed in usingscrip cards issued from the gaming device as described in FIG. 3. First,the user inserts the dispensed scrip into the scrip-accepting unit 230.A scrip code reader inside the scrip accepting unit 230 accepts 402 andreads 404 the scrip card code, and transmits the scrip code 406 to theintranet server 108. The intranet server 108 receives 408 the scrip codemessage (as well as any other information that is passed along by thegaming device 104) and verifies that the scrip code is valid bydeciphering the scrip card code with the security characters asdescribed above in reference to FIG. 3. If the card is valid, the valueor credits associated with the scrip code is read, and the scrip code isremoved 410 from the database, or a flag or other data is written to thedatabase to indicate that the scrip card with the received code is nolonger active. If the scrip units do not have a predetermined value, amessage indicating the value of the scrip card is also sent from theintranet server 108 to the gaming device 104. If the scrip is not valid412, a no credit message is sent to the gaming device 104. Otherwise, acredit message is received 418 by the gaming device 104 and the user iscredited 420 the appropriate amount. In one embodiment, this isaccomplished via appropriate cash/coin acceptance device 210 (which willbe detected at the processor 206 as if they were received directly fromthe device). The (now) used scrip card is then retained in the gamingdevice 104. These used scrip cards can then be used by the hostingcasino to keep track of gaming device 104 receipts. Scrip accepting unit230 may be a special purpose device dedicated to reading the scrip cardcodes, or may be a modified cash/coin acceptance I/O device. In anembodiment using optical bar codes for the scrip card code, this can beaccomplished by integrating a simple optical reader in a cash/coinacceptance device.

If desired, the communications between the gaming device 104 and theintranet server 108 (and, or that matter, the intranet server 108 andthe data manager 110 can be secured using private and/or public keyencryption techniques. This helps prevent users from monitoring and/orinterrupting the gaming device 104/intranet server 108 interface toissue bogus scrip.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the second embodiment describedabove, in which upon cash-out selection, the player is provided with acombination of scrip and one or more coins/tokens. When the player hascompleted playing the machine, and decides to cash-out the credits inthe account, the user activates cash-out I/O device 210D. Through theinterface module 218 and the signal interrupting and/or substitutiondevice 222, the scrip dispensing unit device computer 232 monitors andaccepts 302 the cash-out message. Next, the coin payout device 210H isdisabled by interrupting the coin payout enable communication path 214H.This is depicted in block 502. Optionally, the coin payout quantitysignal, which describes the number of coins to be dispensed, can also beinterrupted. The scrip dispensing unit device computer 232 then reads304 the cash-out value K_(CO) from the remaining balance I/O device210F, and processes 306 the cash-out information to compute the numberof scrip units to be dispensed by the scrip dispensing unit 228 and thenumber of coins to be dispensed by the coin payout device 210H.

Where scrip units have a pre-determined scrip value K_(S), multiplescrip units and multiple coins/tokens may be dispensed. In thissituation, the number of scrip units m to be dispensed is computedaccording to the following relationshipK _(CO) =mK _(S) +K _(rem)  (2)wherein m is the largest positive integer satisfying the aboverelationship, K_(s) is a positive number representing the scrip value,and K_(rem) is a positive number representing the remainder of thecash-out value. The remainder cash-out value K_(rem) is then used todetermine an equivalent number of coins/tokens to be dispensed. A signalor message indicative of this number is supplied to the coin payoutdevice 210H as a substituted coin payout quantity signal on the coinpayout quantity communication path 216H. In one embodiment of thepresent invention the payout quantity signal is a series of pulsesindicating the number of coins to be dispensed. The coin payout enablesignal (which was interrupted or disabled in operation 502 above) isthen provided to activate the coin payout device 210H. At this time, thecoin payout device 210H begins dispensing coins having a cumulativevalue of K_(rem).

Before, during or after the foregoing operations, the scrip dispensingunit 228 scans 308 a scrip unit or scrip card to read a pre-coded scripcode. The scrip code uniquely identifies each scrip card. The scripdispensing device computer 236 transmits the scrip code (and any otherinformation) to the intranet server 108 or other remote computer.

Next, the intranet server 108 accepts the message with the scrip codeand cash-out information including the cash-out value. The scrip code isthen deciphered and validated 314. If the deciphering indicates that thescrip code is a valid code, the scrip code is activated by sending anappropriate message to the data management system 322 for storage 324.This is shown in blocks 316 and 320. The scrip code may be activated bystoring a flag associated with the code stored in the data manager 110,or can be accomplished by storing the code itself in the data manager.After the scrip code is activated, a scrip dispense message is sent 326to the gaming device 104. The gaming device 104 receives 328 thismessage, and dispenses 330 the scrip card.

As described above, in this embodiment of the invention, the scrip valueK_(S) and the cash-out value K_(CO) may require more than one scrip unit(m>1) to be dispensed Block 508 determines whether additional scripcards must be dispensed. If so, the scrip dispensing unit 228 reads thescrip code for the next scrip card, and the foregoing steps areperformed again. This process is repeated until all of the requiredscrip units have been dispensed. In one embodiment, this can beaccomplished by determining a decremented the cash-out value K_(CO)′ asK_(CO)−K_(S) each time a scrip card is dispensed, and repeatedlydispensing scrip and decrementing the cash-out value untilK_(CO)′μK_(S).

In the embodiment described above, a cash-out balance signal 212F wasavailable from the remaining balance I/O device 210F. In some cases, theremaining balance is indicated by a plurality of light emitting diode(LED) elements driven by either separate wires, or by a simple parallelinterface. In such cases, the cash-out balance can be determined merelyby monitoring which LED segments are activated, or by reading signals onthe parallel interface. However, increasingly, the cash-out balance andmany other game play parameters are displayed to the user on a cathoderay tube (CRT) display. Although it is theoretically possible toretrieve the cash-out balance from the CRT, it would generally beprohibitively expensive to do so. Consequently, an alternativeembodiment of the present invention also utilizes a unique method fordetermining the cash-out balance.

As described above, some payout devices 210H and 210I operate with apayout enable signal provided on a payout enable communication path 214Hand 214I, and a payout quantity signal provided on a payout quantitysignal path 216H and 216I, respectively. The payout enable communicationpath may be a line connecting a 100V power source to the payout device,a line connecting a 20V power source or a logical signal.

In some cases, the payout quantity signal is an analog or a digitalsignal provided by the microprocessor 206 whose characteristics describethe number of units to be paid out. Digital signals can comprise aseries of pulses, one for unit to be dispensed, or other signal. In suchcases, after the user elects to cash-out, the payout enable signal isinterrupted, and the cash-out value is simply read off of theappropriate payout quantity communication links 216H and 216I.

In other cases, the payout device dispenses coins under direct controlof a device controller such as the microprocessor 206. When the userelects to cash-out, the microprocessor 206 enables the coin payoutdevice 210H, which begins dispensing coins. Each time a coin isdispensed, the coin payout device transmits a coin payout quantitysignal (in this case, a pulse) to the microprocessor 206 over the coinpayout quantity communication path 216H. This is ordinarily accomplishedvia a microswitch in the coin payout device 210H. The microprocessor206, which has access to the cash-out balance, decrements the cash-outbalance by one coin each time a coin is dispensed by the coin payoutdevice 210H. When the cash-out balance has been decremented to zero, themicroprocessor 206 disables the coin payout device 210H by suitablychanging the payout enable signal 214H.

To accommodate this sort of design, one embodiment of the presentinvention operates as follows. The cash-out communications link 212D ismonitored. When a cash-out signal is detected, the enable signal betweenthe microprocessor 206 and the payout device 210 is interrupted. Thepayout quantity signal on the payout quantity communications path 214His also interrupted. In its place, the local computer 232 provides asubstitute payout quantity signal (another series of pulses) andmonitors the enable signal from the microprocessor 206. The processorcontinues to provide this payout quantity signal until the state of theenable signal changes. Each time that a payout quantity signal pulse isprovided to the microprocessor 206, a counter in the local computer 232is incremented. When the state of the enable signal changes, the counterin the local computer indicates the cash-out value (number of credits).Then, this number is used to determine the number of coins and thenumber of scrip cards to be dispensed to the user. This can beaccomplished using the mathematical relationships described above.Alternatively, this can be accomplished by providing a substitutedpayout quantity signal to the microprocessor 206. A check is made todetermine if the number of payout quantity signals provided is mK_(s)wherein m is a positive integer. If this is the case, then a dispensesignal is provided to the scrip dispensing unit 228 to dispense a scripcard. Then, the number of substituted payout quantity signals isincremented, and the foregoing operations repeated until the monitoredenable signal from the first device controller is disabled. Thisindicates that a sufficient number of payout quantity signal has beenprovided to account for the cash-out balance. Next, the interruptedenable signal is provided to the coin payout device 210H, and the coinpayout quantity communication path 216H is monitored. When the number ofpulses describes a number equivalent to the difference betweenincremented number of substituted payout quality pulses that wereprovided to the microprocessor and mK_(s), a sufficient number of coinshave been dispensed, and the enable signal is removed so that no morecoins are dispensed.

FIG. 6 presents a side view of one embodiment of the scrip-dispensingdevice 226. The scrip-dispensing device 226 comprises a housing 601,which surrounds and protects the device 226. A front door 604 isprovided for loading scrip cards in the scrip-dispensing device 226, anda front door lock 603 prevents access by unauthorized personnel.Securing lock 608 secures the scrip-dispensing device 226 to a mountingsurface.

To reduce complexity of the feeding mechanism and to minimize spacerequirements (the scrip-dispensing device 226 is nominally 12″ by 9″ by4″), the pre-printed scrip cards 617 are dispensed using gravity. Theinterior of the scrip-dispensing device 226 can accommodate in the orderof one thousand pre-coded scrip cards. To assure sufficient downwardforce to dispense the coupons, a telescoping or articulating arm 602coupled to a weight 618 is provided. Weight 618 assures a minimumdownward force is applied to the scrip cards 617, even when only asingle scrip card remains to be dispensed. Weight 618 includes anadjusting device 519 such as a strip magnet to balance the force urgingthe scrip cards 617 in a downward direction. When additional scrip cardsare added to the scrip-dispensing device 226, the lock 603 is unlocked,the front door 604 is opened, and the door is swung out or removed.Weight 618 is moved to the top of the housing 601, and retained there bythe adjusting device 619. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by theuse of a ferro-conductive element on the inner surface of the housing601 and with a strip magnet for the adjusting device 619. Afterinserting the new scrip cards 617 (with the barcode to be read facingdown), the front door 604 is closed and locked 603. In the event thatthe person adding the new scrip cards 617 neglected to pull the weight618 down, a wedge or other device operatively coupled to the front doorseparates the weight from the upper inner surface of the housing.

In one embodiment, the local computer 232 is implemented in a logic PCboard 609. When the logic PC board 609 receives a command to dispense ascrip card, the scanner 624 reads the code on the bottom side of thebottom scrip card 760. To accomplish this, drive motor 616 usestranslation shaft 615 (such as a screw-threaded shaft) to move opticalbarcode reader sensor 614 across the scrip barcode to read the scripcode. Information from this process is sent to the logic PC board 609,and eventually forwarded to the intranet computer 108. As describedabove, if a valid code is read, the scrip dispensing unit 228 thenproceeds to dispense the bottom scrip card 760. This is accomplished byactivating solenoid 613 and drive motor 611. Solenoid 613 pushes upwardon the idler pulley 621, causing the transport belt 612 to make contactwith the bottom scrip card 760. Motor 611 provides motive torque to thedrive pulley 606 via the drive belt 610. This moves the transport belt612 in the indicated direction, dispensing the bottom scrip card 760through channel 622.

In one embodiment, this operation involves translational motion on thepart of idler pulley 621, and only rotational motion of the drive pulley606. In other words, the transport belt 612, idler pulley 621 and drivepulley 606 rotate as a unit clockwise about the drive pulley'slongitudinal axis upon activation of the solenoid 613. Once the bottomscrip card 760 has moved sufficiently towards the drive pulley 606,contact between the bottom scrip card 760 and the transport belt 612near the idler pulley 621 is no longer required, and the solenoid 613 isdeactivated. Thereafter, the scrip card is dispensed via contact betweenthe bottom scrip card 760 and the transport belt 612 near the drivepulley 606. If necessary, one or more pinch rollers can be provided nearthe drive pulley 506 to grip the bottom scrip card 760.

To prevent more than one scrip card from being dispensed at a time, ananti-stripping wheel 605 is provided. The anti-stripping wheel 605rotates counter clockwise (and therefore counter to the rotation of thetransport belt 612), thereby preventing the dispensing of multiple scripcards.

Dispensed scrip card 607 passes through channel 622 formed between lowershelf 620 and upper shelf 623. The channel and shelf structures preventdamage to the electro-mechanical elements of the scrip-dispensing unit228. This is important, since the scrip dispensing device 226(particularly when installed externally from the gaming device 104) issubject to spilled liquids and other foreign matter.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of the scrip dispensingunit and related elements. As can be appreciated, scrip that has beendispensed and inserted into other gaming devices 104 must beperiodically replaced. To make this replacement more convenient and moresecure, the scrip dispensing device 226 shown in FIG. 7 includes acassette unit 736 which has an interface 742 adapted for releasablecoupling with a scrip dispensing module 738. The scrip dispensing module738 houses the scanner 274, the scrip dispensing unit 228, the interfacemodule 218 and the local computer 232. The cassette has a plurality ofsurfaces forming a cavity 740 therein for storing the scrip. Thecassette can be secured to the scrip dispensing module 738 by a cassettelocking mechanism 744.

The scrip dispensing module 738 comprises one or more engagement wheels702. These engagement wheels 702 rotate about an engagement wheel axis728 and are nominally held in a first (non-engagement) position(indicated by dashed lines 704) by a spring 712. However, the engagementwheels 702 can be vertically displaced to a second (engagement) position(shown by solid lines 702) by a force sufficient to overcome theretention force of the spring 712 and the mass of the engagement wheels702 and related assemblies. The optical barcode reader sensor 614comprises an extension member 710 which slidably engages a correspondingmember 708 physically contacting the engagement wheel assembly 750 whenthe sensor 614 is disposed proximate to a first position 752, but whichdoes not physically contact the engagement wheel assembly 750 when thesensor 614 is disposed in a position not proximate to the first position752 (such as second position 754). Slidable coupling between the member710 and corresponding member 708 vertically displaces the engagementwheel 702 assembly, hence moving the engagement wheel axis 728 from thenon-engagement position 704 to the engagement position 702. When in theengagement position, the engagement wheels 702 contact the bottom sideof the bottom scrip card 760, and urges the scrip card in a dispensingdirection (towards the channel 622).

This design has a number of advantages. First, it eliminates the needfor a separate solenoid 613 to move the engagement wheel 702, and all ofthe logic and circuitry necessary to operate the solenoid 613. It alsoprevents the engagement wheel 702 from dispensing any scrip 617 untilthe barcode reader sensor 614 has finished scanning the barcode on thescrip, thus reducing the possibility of prematurely dispensing scrip.Finally, this design also permits more precise control over the preciselocation of the engagement wheels 702 and the force they apply to thescrip. To control the position of the engagement wheels 702, the motoris augmented with a rotation measuring device 730 such as a shaftencoder. Using the data from the shaft encoder, the precise position ofthe optical barcode reader sensor (and hence, the engagement wheels) canbe ascertained and controlled. This permits the position of theengagement wheels 702 to be varied as desired to assure that the scripis dispensed with as few errors as possible. It is also possible to varythe position of the engagement wheels to account for different scripparameters (including thickness and composition), or to account for anestimate of the number of scrip units remaining in the dispenser (andhence the weight on the bottom card 760).

After the engagement wheels 702 make contact with the bottom scrip card760, motor 611 provides motive torque to the an engagement wheel 702 viathe drive belt 706. This moves the scrip in a dispensing direction.Dispensing wheels 734 urge the scrip card into the channel 622.

The foregoing mechanical structure must be capable of reliablydispensing a single scrip unit, regardless of how many scrip units havebeen loaded into the unit. When a large number of scrip units have beenloaded into the scrip dispensing unit, there is the possibility thatfriction between the bottom scrip card 760 and the card above it 732will cause more than one scrip card to be translated by the engagementwheel 702. To prevent the unwanted scrip card 732 from being dispensedinto the channel 622, a stripper cam 714 is provided. Nominally, thestripper cam 714 rotates about a stripper cam axis 718 in the samedirection as the engagement wheels 702 (illustrated in the clockwisedirection). However, since the stripper cam is disposed on the oppositeside of the scrip card, the stripper cam provides a force tending tourge scrip cards in a retract direction. In one embodiment of theinvention, the maximum radial extent of the stripper cam 714 from thestripper cam axis 718 is such that it will not contact a single scripcard being urged in the dispensing direction (towards the channel 622),but will contact the top of a second scrip 732, should one beinadvertently translated by the engagement wheel 702 in the dispensingdirection. The exterior surface of the stripper cam 714 can be made ofrubber or hard plastic.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stripper cam axis 718 is offset sothat the outer surface of the stripper cam 714 intermittently contactsthe upper surface of the second scrip 732 to urge it in the retractdirection (opposing that of the dispensing direction), and prevent thesecond scrip from passing by the stripper cam 714.

It is possible that the friction between the second scrip card 732 andthe outside surface of the stripper cam 714 will be inadequate toprevent the second scrip card 732 from passing by the stripper cam 714.Even if dispensed, the second scrip card 732 should be useless, sincethe pre-coded information on the second scrip card 732 has not been readand passed to the intranet server 108 for activation. Nonetheless, toprevent waste and possible jamming of the scrip dispenser, it isdesirable to prevent multiple cards from being dispensed.

If the urging force provided by the stripper cam 714 is insufficient toprevent the second scrip card 732 from entering the channel 622, thepresence of the scrip card (now referred to as an extended second scripcard 724) will be sensed by a scrip sensor 722. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the scrip sensor 722 is an optical sensor, whichdetermines the opacity of the material passing between an irradiatingsource and a receiver sensor. The measured opacity is monitored by thelocal computer 232. If the opacity indicates that more than one scripcard is being dispensed, the local computer 232 commands the scripdispensing unit 228 to self correct by moving the scrip cards (both thebottom card 760 and the second card 732) in a retract direction. This isaccomplished by reversing the rotation of the engagement wheels 702 andthe dispensing wheels 734. The rotation direction of the stripper cam714, however, is not reversed, since it is desirable to have thestripper cam 714 continue to urge any scrip in the retract direction.Since the stripper cam 714 must be capable of rotating in either thesame direction as the engagement wheels, a second motor 716, which isseparately controllable from the first motor 611 is provided. Using thesecond motor belt 720, the second motor 716 can turn the stripper cam714 in either the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction, ascommanded by the local computer 232. In an alternative embodiment,changes in the direction of the rotation of the stripper cam 714 can beimplemented by a simple gear box, or reversing gear.

Dispensed scrip card 607 passes through channel 622 formed between lowershelf 620 and upper shelf 623. After the scrip is distributed, thecomputer 232 can activate visual display elements 726 to indicate to theuser that scrip has been dispensed. Also, using the interface module 218located on the system I/O (SIO) card 218, the computer 232 may interruptthe signal on the audio communication path 212E, and substitute anothersignal indicating that the scrip has been dispensed. Alternatively, anaudio signal indicating that the scrip has been distributed can be addedto the audio signal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the SIO card 762 is physically distinctfrom the logic PC board 609, which implements the local computer 232.Gaming device 104 design can vary widely from manufacturer tomanufacturer, and from year to year. Hence, it is desirable that thegaming machine 104 interface be as flexible as possible. This isaccomplished by segmenting the functions of the interface module 218 andthe local computer 232 into an SIO card 762 and a physically distinctlogic PC board 609. Since a given local computer 232 is typicallycapable of adapting to a wide variety of devices and I/O interfaces, thesame logic PC board 609 can be used for virtually any gaming device 104.At the same time, the SIO card 762 can be designed to include only thoseelements (isolators, relays, etc) that are needed to interface with eachparticular gaming device 104. Further, the interface between the SIOcard 762, the local computer 232 and other elements can be designed topermit the SIO to be readily installed and removed as required (i.e.plug-in compatibility).

Although it is advantageous to separate the functionality of the localcomputer 232 and the interface module 218 into physically distinct andremovable cards, the present invention can be practiced with a generalpurpose SIO card 762 that applied to all or virtually all gamingdevices. For that matter, the functions performed by the interfacemodule, the local computer 232, and other elements in the scripdispensing device 226 can be implemented on a single card, if desired.

In another embodiment, a sensor can be placed in the channel 622 toindicate whether the dispensed scrip has been removed. If the sensorindicates that the scrip has not been removed and the gaming machine 104has remained inactive for a period of time (determined by measuringsignals from the existing I/O devices), the local computer 232 may senda message to the intranet computer to categorize the dispensed scrip asunclaimed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the cassette 736. Thecassette 736 comprises a first aperture 802 through which the scripcards are dispensed, and a second aperture 804, which is positionedadjacent the barcode reader sensor 614 so that the barcode reader sensor614 can scan the bar codes on the downward facing side of the scripcards. The cassette 736 interface 742 also comprises a unique cassettecode 806. In the illustrated embodiment, the cassette code is manifestedby a bar code disposed adjacent to the second aperture 804. Undercommand of the local computer 232, the barcode reader sensor 614 canread the cassette code, and determine which cassette is attached to thescrip dispensing module 738. This information can be relayed to theInternet server 108 for tracking the distribution of scrip in each ofthe gaming devices 104.

Since the number of scrip cards in the cassette 736 may be in the orderof 1000 cards or more, weight placed upon the bottoms scrip card 760 mayvary substantially. To reduce this variance, and to permit morepredictable dispensing of the scrip cards, one or more of the interiorsurfaces of the cassette 736 may also comprise modified surface 810 toassist in the dispensing of the scrip cards.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing one embodiment of the modified surface 810.In this embodiment, the modified surfaces comprise a first verticalinterior surface 902A having undulations including a peak undulation904A and a trough undulation 906A. Opposing the first interior surface902A on the other side of the scrip cards, is a second vertical interiorsurface 902B having a undulations including a peak undulation 906B and atrough undulation 904B. In one embodiment, the undulations in the firstinterior surface 902A and the second interior surface 902B are in phase.That is, the peak undulation 906A of the first interior surface 902A isoppositionally disposed from the trough 906B of the second interiorsurface 902B. Non-undulating surfaces 909A and 908B are disposed belowthe undulations in the interior surfaces 902A and 902B, and proximatethe interface 742. The foregoing structure relieves some of the weightimposed on the bottom scrip card 760, allowing the scrip cards to bemore predictably dispensed one at a time.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing another embodiment of the modified surface810. In this embodiment, an upper portion of the cavity 740 comprises anarrowed portion 910. The distance from opposing surfaces of thenarrowed portion 910 is less than the dimension of the scrip card.Hence, the scrip cards bow downwards as shown in FIG. 9B. Frictionbetween the edges of the scrip cards and opposing surfaces of the cavity740 in the narrowed portion relieve some of the weight applied to thebottom scrip card 760.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the cassette736. In this embodiment, guides 1002A-1002D are disposed in the interiorsurface of the cassette 732. The guides (collectively referred tohereinafter as guides 1002) cooperatively interact with guide pins1004A-1004D on the weight 618. The lowest extent of the second guide1002B, disposed nearer to the aperture 802 extends below the lowestextent of the first guide 1002A, which tilts the weight 618 as the lastfew scrip cards are dispensed. This applies additional weight to thebottom scrip card 760 near the engagement wheel 702.

Additional Embodiments

FIGS. 11-13 are flow charts illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded beforeinsertion into the gaming device 104 for distribution. After a cash-outcommand is accepted 1102, the cash out balance is determined 1104. Thegaming device 104 then obtains a code uniquely identifying the scrip. Inthis embodiment, this is accomplished by sending a message requestingthe code to the remote computer/intranet server 108. In this embodiment,this message includes the cash-out balance. The message is received bythe remote computer/intranet server 108, which generates a code uniquelyidentifying the scrip, as shown in block 1108. The generated code andthe cash-out balance are then stored in the data manager 110, as shownin blocks 1110-1114. The code is also transmitted to the gaming device,as shown in blocks 1116 and 1118. The gaming device 104 then records thecode on the scrip and dispenses the scrip to the user, as shown inblocks 1120 and 1122. In embodiments in which the scrip code is visuallymanifested (such as a bar code), this is accomplished via a printer orsimilar device. In embodiments in which the scrip code is magneticallymanifested, this is accomplished via a magnetic recording device.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the user may then take the scrip to a secondgaming device 104 for further play. After the user selects a secondgaming device 104, the scrip is inserted into the second gaming device104, and the scrip is accepted, as shown in block 1202. The scrip codeis then read, and transmitted to the remote computer/intranet server108, as shown in blocks 1204 and 1206. As described above, the scripcode may be either visually or magnetically manifested, or both. Theremote computer/intranet server 108 accepts the scrip code, and, via thedata manager 110, verifies the scrip code and retrieves the cash outbalance, as shown in blocks 1208-1214. This information is thentransmitted to the second gaming device 104 as shown in block 1216.

The second gaming device 104 receives the cash-out balance and issuesthe appropriate number of credits to the user, as determined from thecash-out balance and the value of each credit on the second gamingdevice 104. These steps are shown in blocks 1218-1224. Next, if desired,particularly if the scrip code is manifested on a magnetic strip, thecode may be erased from the scrip before the scrip is stored for re-use,as shown in block 1224. This make it difficult for the scrip to becollected and used to determine how the scrip code assignment algorithmsoperate.

After the user has completed gaming on the second gaming device 104, theuser issues a second cash-out command, as shown in block 1302. A secondcash-out balance is determined and a second code is requested of theremote computer/intranet server 108. As before, the remotecomputer/intranet server 108 generates a code and stores the code andcashout balance in the data manager 110 for later use. These operationsare illustrated in blocks 1308-1310. The code is then transmitted to thesecond gaming device 104, as shown in blocks 1316 and 1318. One of theretained scrip in the second gaming device is then retrieved, and thecode generated by the remote computer/intranet server 108 is recorded onthe scrip. The scrip is then dispensed to the user. These operations aredepicted in blocks 1320-1324.

FIGS. 14-16 are flow charts illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded beforeinsertion into the gaming device 104 for distribution. In thisembodiment, the cash-out value is not transmitted from the gaming deviceto the remote computer/Internet server 1408. After the gaming deviceaccepts a cashout command 1402, the cash-out balance is read 1404, andthe gaming device 104 sends a message to the remote computer/intranetserver 108 to request 1406 a code uniquely identifying the scrip that isabout to be issued. The remote computer/intranet server 108 generates acode, and stores the code in the database, as shown in blocks 1408-1414.The code is then transmitted 1416 to the gaming device 104. The gamingdevice receives 1418 the code, and combines 1420 the code with thecashout balance to generate a combined code that is recorded 1422 on thescrip (for example, by printing a bar code, or by writing information ona magnetic strip on the scrip). After this is accomplished, the scrip isdispensed 1424. If desired, the recorded combined code can be scannedand transmitted to the remote computer/intranet server 108 for possiblestorage in the data manager 110. Further, the remote computer/intranetserver 108 can verify that the combined code represents a valid codecombination.

As shown in FIG. 15, the user can then bring the dispensed scrip to asecond gaming device 104. The second gaming device 104 then accepts 1502the scrip, reads 1504 the combined scrip code, and extracts 1506 thescrip code from the combined scrip code. The scrip code is thentransmitted 1508 to the remote computer/intranet server 108 forverification, as shown in blocks 1510-1514. The remote computer/intranetserver 108 then transmits 1518 a message verifying the scrip code. Themessage is received by the second gaming device 1518, and theappropriate number of credits (determined from the cash-out valueextracted from the combined scrip code and the value of each credit inthe second gaming device 104) are provided 1520. At this point, thescrip is stored 1524 for redistribution and re-use in futuretransactions.

Alternatively, in cases where the combined scrip code is transmitted tothe remote computer/intranet server 108 and stored in the data manager,the second gaming device 104 can simply transmit the combined scrip codeto the remote computer/intranet server 108 for verification. The remotecomputer/intranet server 108 can then verify both the authenticity ofthe scrip (using the code) and the cash-out value amount beforetransmitting a message verifying the scrip. If the scrip is determinedto be unauthorized, or if the cash-out value read from the combinedscrip code does not match that which was stored in the data manager 110,credits are not issued. If desired, the scrip can be retained, and analert may be transmitted to the appropriate security personnel.

As shown in FIG. 16, after the user has concluded gaming, the user mayissue a cash-out command that is accepted by the second gaming device104. Again, the cashout balance is read 1604, and a second code isrequested 1606 from the remote computer/Internet server 108. This codeis generated 1608 and stored in the data manager, as shown in blocks1608-1614. The generated code is transmitted 1616 to the second gamingdevice 104, where a second combined code is generated (from the secondcode and the current cash-out balance), and recorded on one of the scripunits stored in the second gaming device. Since the second gaming deviceretains used scrip for later re-use and distribution, such used scripcan be used to record the new combined code before the scrip isdispensed to the user. This is illustrated in blocks 1618-1624.

FIGS. 17-19 are flow charts illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded beforeinsertion into the gaming device 104 for distribution and in which thegaming device 104 generates the scrip-unique code. After the user hascompleted play on the gaming device 104, a cash-out command is accepted1702, and the cash-out balance is read 1704. The cash-out balance isdetermined 1704, and the gaming device 104 generates a code that willuniquely identify the scrip that is about to be dispensed to the user.This code can be generated by combination of a use of code uniquelyidentifying the gaming machine among the gaming machines in the gamingsystem 100 and a code uniquely identifying the scrip within the gamingmachine. Alternatively, the code can simply be generated by the gamingmachine and transmitted to the remote computer/intranet server 108. Atthis point, the remote computer/intranet server 108 can verify 1708 codehas already been assigned to a different scrip, and/or that thegenerated code is included in the set of permissible codes. In theunlikely event that the gaming machine generated code is alreadyassigned to another scrip occurs, the remote computer/intranet server108 can send a message to the gaming device to generate another code, orthe remote computer/intranet server 108 can generate another code andtransmit the code to the gaming device 104. Further, the messagetransmitted from the gaming device 104 to the remote computer/intranetserver 108 can include just the scrip unique code, the scrip unique codeand the cash-out balance, or a combined code having both the code andthe cash-out balance.

The code and cash-out balance can then be stored in the data manager, asshown in blocks 1710-1714, and a scrip dispense message is transmitted1716 to the gaming device. With this embodiment, as with previouslydescribed embodiments having a scrip dispense message, messages betweenthe gaming device 104 and the remote computer/intranet server 108 can becoded using either private key or public key techniques to assure thatbogus messages are not received and to maintain communication securitybetween the gaming device 104 and the remote computer/intranet server108. After the gaming device 104 receives 1718, the code is recorded1720 on the scrip (either by applying a magnetic field to a magneticstrip on the scrip or by printing a visually manifested code such as abar code). Finally, the scrip is dispensed 1722. If desired, coderecorded on the scrip can be re-scanned to assure that the proper codewas recorded.

The user can then take the dispensed scrip, and insert it into a secondgaming device 104. As shown in FIG. 18, the second gaming device 104accepts 1802 the scrip, reads 11804 the scrip code, and transmits 1806the scrip code to the remote computer/Internet server 108. The remotecomputer/intranet server 108 then accesses the information in the datamanager 110 to verify the scrip code and retrieve the cash-out balanceassociated with the code. If the code is verified, the cash-out balanceis transmitted 1816 to the second gaming device 104. The received 1818cash-out balance is used to determine the appropriate number of credits,and such credits are provided 1820. The scrip, whose code may optionallybe erased 1822 is then stored 1824 for re-use. When the user is finishedgaming with the second gaming device 104, a cash-out command is accepted1902, and the current cash-out balance 1904 is read. The second gamingdevice 104 generates a second code uniquely identifying the scrip thatis about to be dispensed, using the techniques described above. The codeand cash-out balance is then transmitted to the remote computer/intranetserver 108 where the code is verified 1908. The verified code and thecash-out balance can then be stored in the data manger 110, as shown inblocks 1910-1914. A scrip dispense message can then be transmitted 1916to the second gaming device 104. The second gaming device 104, uponreceiving the scrip dispense message, retrieves a scrip from storage(which may have been a scrip which was used before), records 1920 thenewly generated code on the scrip, and dispenses 1922 the scrip to theuser. With respect to FIGS. 17-19 it should also be noted that the codeand cash-out balance transmitted from the gaming devices 104 to theremote computer/intranet server 108 may be a combined code having bothunique code information and the cash-out balance, as described inconnection with FIGS. 14-16.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of an embodiment of the scrip dispenser 226with a scrip acceptance unit 2002 configured to permit redistributionand re-use of scrip. Also in this embodiment, the scrip scanner 274 mayinclude the capability of recording scrip codes on the scrip 617, aswell as reading the codes. This may be accomplished with separatereading and writing units, or with a combined reading/writing unit asshown. In this embodiment, the scrip scanner includes a transducer 2002which is capable of reading and writing scrip code onto the scrip 617.In embodiments wherein the scrip code is an visually manifested code,the transducer 2002 is an optical transducer capable of reading andprinting visually manifested codes such as bar codes. In embodimentswherein the scrip code is a magnetically manifested code, the transduceris a magnetic record/playback/erase head.

In this embodiment, a scrip acceptance unit 2002 is included whichaccepts scrip via aperture 2004. Once the inserted scrip is detected (byoptical, magnetic, or mechanical sensors), a scrip acceptance unit drivesystem 2006 moves the scrip into position for scanning by the scripscanner 2008. After the appropriate operations have been completed, thescrip is passed to a scrip storage unit 2010 where they may be re-usedby the scrip dispensing unit 228. In the illustrated embodiment, thescrip acceptance unit 2002 includes a scrip acceptance unit drive system2006 and scrip scanner 2006 of similar design to that which is describedabove with respect to FIG. 7. The scrip acceptance unit drive system2006 also includes a scrip ejection wheel 2014 which may be driven byone of the pulleys or wheels driven by a scrip acceptance unit drivesystem drive motor 2016, or a second scrip acceptance unit drive systemmotor 2018. Ordinarily, the scrip acceptance unit 2002 need only scanthe scrip to assure the proper code is manifested thereon, but thetransducer 2012 of the scrip acceptance unit 2002 may also include thecapability of erasing the scrip 2014 introduced through the aperture2004 before depositing the scrip into the scrip storage unit 2010. Thetransducer 2012 may also include the capability of recording a randommessage on the scrip 2014 to render them unreadable.

Conclusion

This concludes the description of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention. In summary, the present invention discloses a method,apparatus, and article of manufacture for transferring credits from onegaming device to another via the use of coded scrip.

The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in thegaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquelyidentifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-outmessage comprising the code to a remote processor having access to adatabase configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality ofgaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remoteprocessor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scripstorage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer forreading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scripretrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicativelycoupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to adatabase for storing and retrieving code information from the pluralityof gaming devices.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not by the details of the embodiments presented inthis description. The above specification, examples, and data provide acomplete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of modifying functionality ofwager-based legacy gaming devices each having i) a plurality of legacyinput/output (I/O) devices communicating I/O device signals with alegacy gaming device processor via a plurality of legacy communicationpaths, and ii) a second processor, separate from the legacy gamingdevice processor, communicatively coupled to the plurality of legacycommunication paths and a remote server, comprising the steps of:interrupting, under control of the second processor, a first signal fromthe legacy gaming device processor to a video display on a first legacycommunication path between the legacy gaming device processor and thevideo display wherein the legacy gaming device processor provides outputto the video display comprising play of a wager-based game via the firstlegacy communication path; interrupting, under control of the secondprocessor, a second signal from a touch screen input device to thelegacy gaming device processor on a second legacy communication pathbetween the legacy gaming processor and the touch screen input device,wherein the legacy gaming device processor is configured to receiveinput from the touch screen input device via the second legacycommunication path; generating, under control of the second processor, afirst substitute signal for the first signal; generating, under controlof the second processor, a second substitute signal for the secondsignal wherein a substitution of at least one of the first substitutesignal and the second substitute signal modifies the functionality ofthe wager-based legacy gaming device, receiving, under control of thesecond processor, a third signal from the legacy gaming device processoron a third legacy communication path used by the legacy gaming deviceprocessor to communicate with a central computer; interrupting the thirdsignal under control of the second processor; generating, under controlof the second processor, a third substitute signal for the third signalwherein a substitution of the third substitute signal for the thirdsignal further modifies the functionality of the wager-based game;receiving, under control of the second processor, information from theremote server via a fourth communication path and generating the firstsubstitute signal based upon the first signal and the informationreceived from the remote server; receiving, under control of the secondprocessor, first electronic media data from the remote server and secondelectronic media data from the legacy gaming device processor, combiningthe first electronic media data and the second electronic media data andoutputting combined electronic media data to one of the legacy I/Ooutput devices wherein the second electronic media data includes gameplay information associated with the game play of the wager-based legacygaming device and the first electronic media data is unrelated to thegame play of the wager-based legacy gaming device; interrupting, undercontrol of the another second processor, another first signal from theanother legacy gaming device processor to another video display onanother first legacy communication path between the another legacygaming device processor and the another video display wherein theanother legacy gaming device processor provides another output to theanother video display including play of another wager-based game via theanother first legacy communication path; interrupting, under control ofthe another second processor, another second signal from another touchscreen input device to the another legacy gaming device processor onanother second legacy communication path between the another legacygaming processor and the another touch screen input device, wherein theanother legacy gaming device processor is configured to receive anotherinput from the another touch screen input device via the another secondlegacy communication path; generating, under control of the anothersecond processor, another first substitute signal for the another firstsignal; receiving, under control of the another second processor,another first electronic media data from the remote server and anothersecond electronic media data from the another legacy gaming deviceprocessor, the another second electronic media data including anothergame play information associated with another game play of the anotherwager-based legacy gaming device and the another first electronic mediadata unrelated to the another game play of the another wager-basedlegacy gaming device; and combining the another first electronic mediadata and the another second electronic media data and outputting theanother combined electronic media data to one of another legacy I/Ooutput devices coupled to the another legacy gaming device processor. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising routing touch screen inputdata in the second signal to a destination device.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the destination device is at least one of the legacygaming device processor or the remote server.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein the touch screen displays game play parameters of thewager-based game played on the wager-based legacy gaming device.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal areinterrupted using a signal interrupting and substitution devicecommunicatively coupled to the second processor.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the first substitute signal is generated without the firstsignal.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first substitute signal isgenerated at least in part from the first signal.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the first electronic media data and the second electronicmedia data are each electronic audio data.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the one of the legacy I/O output devices is an audio device. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic media informationand the second electronic media information are each electronic videodata.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one of the legacy I/Ooutput devices is the video display.
 12. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving, in the second processor, information associatedwith cash or credits accepted at the wager-based legacy gaming deviceand cash or credits paid out at the wager-based legacy gaming device andsending the information to a server remote from the wager-based legacygaming device.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of thefirst substitute signal and the second substitute signal are generatedwhile the wager-based game is actively being played.